Everyone living in Buninyong will have the chance to help decide the future of Warrenheip Street Buninyong.

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle today launched a community campaign to ask whether the V/Line/PTV bus stop on Warrenheip Street should be decommissioned potentially creating more space for car parking, outdoor seating or green spaces. The V/Line bus stop would be relocated 100 meters to the north at an existing PTV bus stop.

The Buninyong Streetscape Project is funded with a $300,000 grant from the Andrews Labor Government and contributions from Bendigo Community Bank and the City of Ballarat.

This project is aimed at creating transport and pedestrian improvements in Buninyong and rejuvenating the town centre through additional community areas, greenery, artwork and outdoor dining environments.

The City of Ballarat has already developed plans for the streetscape along Warrenheip Street which include new seating, a pedestrian crossing at the Post Office and tree planting, mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au/buninyong-streetscape-improvements to see the plans.

Michaela is asking the community to help decide if the bus stop should be moved and to make suggestions of what should be in its place. Moving the services could create more car parking, outdoor seating, dining areas and tree planting however, the users of the service including students, tourists and locals reliant on that stop may be adversely impacted.

The survey opens today and will close on March 31.  The local input will help inform the decision on the bus stop and all ideas will be passed onto council to assist in the re-drawing of plans if that is what the community wants.

This process will not change the timetable for delivering the project, with works expected to commence before June 2021.

To have your say visit www.michaelasettle.com.au/campaigns/buninyong-streetscape-project

Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“The Buninyong Streetscape project will help transform the heart of Buninyong making it safer for pedestrians, creating new community spaces and helping local traders.”

“Moving the bus stop could create more space for the streetscape project, but it would also impact users of the bus stops including students, tourists and locals reliant on that stop. I want to make sure everyone got to have their say; it’s their main street – so I think they should get to decide.”

“I encourage anyone in Buninyong to visit my website and have their say before March 31, michaelasettle.com.au/campaigns/buninyong-streetscape-project.”

“Once the survey has closed I’ll announce the result and work with all parties to deliver the outcome the Buninyong community wants.”